Chinese actress Li Keyi is rapidly rising as one of the most dominant figures in China’s booming short drama industry, earning the title of the “number one actress of Chinese short dramas” thanks to her remarkable achievements.
According to QQ, the actress born in 2000 has recently taken the top spot in the short drama field, surpassing fellow actress Guo Yuxin. In just one year, Li Keyi appeared in an astonishing 29 productions, demonstrating an intense workload rarely seen among actors.
One of her most notable successes came in early 2026 with the fourth installment of the series Shi Ba Sui Tai Nai Nai Jia Dao, Chong Zheng Jia Zu Rong Yao. The drama became an explosive hit on the Hongguo platform, surpassing one billion views within just three days of release. Within 12 days, the series had already reached three billion views, setting multiple platform records and solidifying its status as a “short drama blockbuster.”
The franchise had already gained massive popularity before the latest season. The first three installments accumulated a combined total of 12 billion views, making it the most-watched series of 2025 and the most famous production in the history of the Hongguo platform.
Li Keyi has also become the actress with the highest number of short dramas surpassing 100 million views on the platform, further strengthening her reputation in the industry.
The drama previously broke records with more than 10 million advance viewers. Following the release of the fourth season, more than 500,000 additional accounts immediately reserved viewing slots in anticipation of the upcoming fifth installment.
The series’ success has also dramatically boosted Li Keyi’s popularity. Her follower count on the Hongguo platform has surged to 2.5 million, making her the most-followed actress there. On Douyin, she has around five million fans, the highest among actresses in the short drama genre. In November 2025, she was also awarded the title of Short Drama Actress of the Year.
Li Keyi has received praise not only for her productivity but also for her striking beauty and relatively refined acting style compared to many performers in the fast-paced short drama sector. In Shi Ba Sui Tai Nai Nai Jia Dao, Chong Zheng Jia Zu Rong Yao, she portrays a middle-aged woman who returns to life at a young age, guiding her descendants, helping those who deserve it, and correcting mistakes from the past.
According to Sina, China’s short drama market has been expanding rapidly. In 2025, the industry reached a market size of 90 billion yuan, representing a 78% increase from 50.5 billion yuan in 2024. By comparison, the Chinese film industry generated total box office revenue of 51.8 billion yuan (about 7.4 billion USD), despite having far higher production costs.
The rapid growth of short dramas has opened opportunities for many young stars to pursue their acting dreams. However, the production standards for short dramas differ greatly from traditional television series. Each project is typically filmed within just 7 to 15 days under extremely intense schedules.
Acting styles are also noticeably different. Performances often rely on exaggerated emotional expression, with limited interaction between actors and their environment due to the smaller screen formats on which these dramas are typically viewed.
Despite these limitations, short dramas cater perfectly to audiences seeking quick entertainment. They also face fewer thematic restrictions compared to traditional television productions. As a result, genres such as time travel, rebirth, and palace intrigue frequently appear in these shows, satisfying viewers’ appetite for dramatic and imaginative storytelling.
Sources: Znews
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